“Are they allowed to do that?” – Brendan Rodgers confused by the SPFL released statement over incident during the match

Liam Scales was given the nod to start alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers as Celtic played out a 1-1 draw against Rangers on Sunday at Ibrox.

Throughout the campaign, Scales and Auston Trusty have fought for that centre-back spot, with the American not playing in the Premiership since the defeat to St Johnstone in Perth.

Up until the turn of the year, there weren’t many issues with Celtic’s backline, but then in 2025, the goals kept flooding in the wrong way for the champions of Scotland.

As per, Sunday’s Ibrox showdown, which was the final Glasgow derby of the season, started with high intensity and big chances at both ends.

Moments after Adam Idah, who would score in the second half, missed a glorious one-v-one chance, Rangers scored at the other end through Cyriel Dessers.

And it didn’t go down well with the Celtic supporters.

• READ MORE: What Liam Scales said about Adam Idah before he re-joined Celtic, as he does his talking on the pitch

Celtic fans vent their anger towards Liam Scales after performance against Rangers

Nobody will argue that Scales was outstanding last season, and it was a pleasant surprise for the supporters after his loan spell at Aberdeen.

But the Republic of Ireland international has had his issues this season, including not being strong enough in his duels, as Dessers ran off his shoulders and put the ball into the back of the net.

It has to be noted that Scales was far better in the second half, but it can’t be argued that the supporters aren’t happy that he is still earning game time.

@p____67 isn’t happy with Scales: ‘You’ll need to show me reasons that make Scales better than Trusty? The guy has cost us time and time again, and worst of all he’s got long ginger hair Get him out’.

@RyanStevenF2 kept it simple: ‘Terrible finishing from Idah, weak and terrible defending from Scales. Simple as that’.

@bhoysviews was very strong with his views: ‘If I never see Liam Scales in a Celtic shirt again it will be too soon. An absolute disaster of a footballer’.

@Jonaldo_92 references Scales’ loan spell at Aberdeen: ‘Liam Scales is an average Aberdeen player. That’s all. Not Celtic quality at all’.

@liamcsc questions why Trusty has been dropped: ‘Thought it was a totally even game before Liam Scales had his say Don’t know what Trusty does to get dropped for him’.

@ciaraned also commented on the Trusty call: ‘There’s people oot there daft enough to suggest Liam scales is a better defender than trusty’.

@caesarparadise_ wants to see Scales out of the XI: ‘Down to reality Liam scales must get dropped’.

@JQuinn8723 noted Scales falling over: ‘Bold of Liam Scales to show up to his work in roller blades’.

@laurentemp also shared her confusion: ‘Honestly don’t understand how Liam Scales still starts games for us’.

@j15hvy told everyone: ‘Well we all know my opinion on Liam scales and I don’t wanna say I told yous so but’.

@ASAP__Rossy also added: ‘Liam Scales is comically bad. Not a good look for Celtic’.

@mel9samaras also noted Scales falling over: ‘Liam Scales’ wearing ice skates today 🙈’.

Scales’ stats for Celtic against Rangers

With the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen coming up, it will be interesting to see if Rodgers sticks with Scales at the back.

The last time Trusty started a final – the League Cup in December – he was hooked at the break for Scales.

Either way, WhoScored rated Scales’ performance at 7.41 for his showing against Rangers.